Dining at the Lodge

My father and I have visited Bearclaw Lodge annually for the past dozen years or more. Although we’ve fished across the lower 48 and in other key destinations (Europe, New Zealand) there is simply nothing that compares with bush Alaska, the Wood-Tikchik river system, or Bearclaw Lodge. When they say 100+ fish days, they actually mean it. We’ve had back-to-back doubles for an hour straight in June. We’ve had days with non-stop dry fly action in July. We’ve seen bead action in August that would blow your mind. We’ve caught boatloads of 24”+ rainbows in a week. We’ve seen the SW Alaska June grand slam (char, dolly, bows, grayling, kings, sockeye) numerous times from clients ranging from beginner to expert. All of this is thanks to Rob, Lisa, and the incomparable guide team they maintain year after year. When additionally viewed through the filter of price, Bearclaw is a value you can’t beat almost anywhere in the world. Highly recommended.

Returning on my third trip at Bear Claw Lodge! I have been hunting and fishing Alaska for over 30+ years and found this Lodge to be the most versatile of all. Great Fishing, BIG variety of fish, fantastic accommodations lodge-food. All gear covered, boots, waders, rods and reels and all Sims equipment. Knowledge friendly guides and fish packing included. Out of all the outfits I have been to he is priced right for all you get, and all you need to bring is your clothes.

Another Incredible Visit! Booked next year too!! Rob and Lisa Fuentes have perfected the southwestern Alaska lodge adventure! We are headed back for our fifth visit this year and we cannot wait to return. This exceptional, comfortable lodge is located on a 14 acre peninsula in the natural beauty of the Wood-Tikchik Park Lake Aleknagik area. The amazing, pristine lakes and rivers are teeming with many species of salmon and native fish. You can catch silver or pink salmon on the fly or with a spin cast, or lure nice big rainbows, grayling, dolly varden or Arctic char on a dry fly, or lure some voracious northern pike on the fly. Stay in the well-equipped Hog Island boats ( very stable, with grippy decks for excellent footing and a front support stand for fishermen to enjoy extra stability. if you choose, or get out and wade either the river, or hike a creek and enjoy some of the best sight casting round. The accommodations and food at the lodge are superb. Every comfort you could want in a wilderness lodge. The incredibly quiet generators and on-demand limitless hot water are great. Internet and phone service is available to keep up with the outside world. The guides are very hardworking, highly skilled professionals committed to ensuring your safety and to providing a world class fishing experience. The high quality Simms waders, boots and fishing gear are top notch. The chef-prepared food is amazing, and the lodge hospitality and ambience is exceptional.

What to take: Gore-Tex rain jacket, layers of clothing since you could have the 70s or rain and the 50s, fingerless gloves, Buff or similar face mask, polarized sunglasses, slip on lodge shoes, ankle high rubber boots

Note to mobility-challenged people like me: if you have 70 degrees of knee flexibility and can walk with a trekking pole and stand for an hour at a time, this trip is very doable. Everything from arriving in Dillingham, boarding the comfortable small transport bus for a 40 minute drive to the large jet boat, then a 30-minute boat ride to the lodge and a 125 yard walk up a gently sloping groomed trail to the lodge ( which has a ramp.) Guest rooms are located on the first or second floor.

A dozen or fewer guests at a time allow you to get to know some very interesting people and to learn how Rob and his crew responsibly operate this lodge in an environmentally responsible manner, with a small footprint. You can also go on flyout trips offered by a highly experienced, top pilot, either to the equally amazing Kingfishers camp to fish for king salmon, or to a remote creek for a chance to catch the rainbow of a lifetime!

A Great Fishing Experience This was my wife's and my second visit to Bear Claw Lodge on Lake Aleknagik near Dillingham Alaska. Rob Fuentes, the owner, and two of his guides, Brad and Chad, met us at the Dillingham airport in the lodge van for the short drive to Aleknagik village, where we caught his new boat to the lodge, about 30 minutes away.

We spent the next two days fishing for arctic char, Dolly Vardens, rainbow trout, grayling and sliver salmon in good weather, while my wife accompanied me in the boat with her photographic equipment. She got some great bear photos of one of the brown bears that haunt the river banks this time of the year bulking up on the last salmon of the season as they get ready to hibernate.

We had a large room at the top of the stairs across the hall from the bathroom. The only other guests, two from the Netherlands and one from the Washington State had rooms on the first floor, which also had the kitchen, dining room, and lounge area. The food and hospitallity were once again exceptional.

It was great experience the fishing was great staff was excellent, would recommend this trip.